Things I check before buying a WP Theme…

•     Columns: I always make sure author use ” %” instead of “px”
•     Author : I make sure author give proper support to buyers
•     Page speed: I always analyze the speed for a minimum of 75/100
•     Browsers: Of course browser compatibility is a must
•     Layout: I just love when author gives you the choice of stretched or boxed layout
•     Sidebar: Same as layout, 1 or 2 sidebars option is always nice…
•     Shortcodes: I think every author should have a “get the codes” section on his shortcodes demo page
•     Buttons: Gradient Image.
•     Sitemap: I really think every theme should have a built in sitemap

That’s about it. I hope it helps ?

This is a great help for many authors. Any more points? I would like to create a WordPress master checklist for ThemeForest authors.

I almost forgot,
Shortcode editor: I bought a lot of themes on theme forest and i never liked the fact that on every theme the Shortcode editor was of use only in the “visual view” and not the “html View” but lately i boutht a theme called “DynamiX” and let me tell you that his editor is amazing and so easy to use in both views.
http://themeforest.net/item/dynamix-premium-wordpress-theme/113901?WT.ac=category_thumb&WT.seg_1=category_thumb&WT.z_author=NorthVantage

Great feedback, thanks for taking the time

I have some questions, though:

• Columns: does this mean authors who use grids like 960GS are off your list?
• Author: do you prefer comments on TF or dedicated forum?
• Page speed: what if the demo server is being hammered by many visitors when you test it? What if it’s on a shared server like Bluehost, which is pretty slow?
• Browsers: what are the most important for you/which do you always check?
• Buttons: is a gradient image for a button that important? Does it really affect your purchase decision?
• Sitemap: Do you prefer something custom-made and built into the theme, or would a 3rd party plugin (provided&activated along with the theme) also do?

Thanks again

• 960GS is great and really not out of my list, authors who use it should creates an other set of “div” as shortcodes with ”%” use.
• Dedicated forum definitely
• I test page speed at least 3 times
• Unfortunately IE7 -8 is my priority
• Buttons are not that important but is a plus
• Custom made sitemap is great

Awesome, thanks again for taking the time

Great resources for a guy like me, developing my first theme.

Thanks so much guys.

If I may add my 2 cents as well to the authors who care to know, those who don’t please IGNORE and refrain from commenting on how lazy I am for I’ve heard it all before.

• Multiple home page layouts
• Portfolio posts with sliders (not header slider) (Key for me)
• Reiterate option for boxed and stretched layouts. Can’t tell you how many themes I’ve had to pass on because they came only stretched
• Need unique sidebar functionality
• Agree with ‘Get the code’ from the demo
• Agree with Site Map
• ON MY WISHLIST : a theme with a great Product Display feature by category, this is severely lacking as many of my clients just want to showcase their products but don’t need the full-fledged e-commerce theme in catalog mode

That’s just me.

CLINE123 said
If I may add my 2 cents as well to the authors who care to know, those who don’t please IGNORE and refrain from commenting on how lazy I am for I’ve heard it all before.

• Multiple home page layouts
• Portfolio posts with sliders (not header slider) (Key for me)
• Reiterate option for boxed and stretched layouts. Can’t tell you how many themes I’ve had to pass on because they came only stretched
• Need unique sidebar functionality
• Agree with ‘Get the code’ from the demo
• Agree with Site Map
• ON MY WISHLIST : a theme with a great Product Display feature by category, this is severely lacking as many of my clients just want to showcase their products but don’t need the full-fledged e-commerce theme in catalog mode

That’s just me.

+1 CLINE123 ….

CLINE123 said

...
• Need unique sidebar functionality
...
• ON MY WISHLIST : a theme with a great Product Display feature by category, this is severely lacking as many of my clients just want to showcase their products but don’t need the full-fledged e-commerce theme in catalog mode

Couldn’t you produce a product catalogue / portfolio in any theme with a portfolio? If not could you expand on this?